WATCH: Lewandowski Sees Bigger Issue Behind Michelle Fields Scandal

After Florida state prosecutors declined to press charges against him, Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski appeared on Fox News for an exclusive interview with Sean Hannity.

“What we saw today was that they looked at the evidence and decided there’s no way that they can prosecute this case and move forward,” said Lewandowski. “First and foremost, I want to thank Mr. Trump. Second, I want to thank my family and my colleagues who stood by me in this very difficult time.”

He continued, “This was a huge distraction for the campaign, and it should never have been. If (reporter) Michelle Fields wanted to have a conversation, we could have had a conversation privately and not made this the story that it is today.”

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When video surveillance of the incident was first released, authorities in Jupiter, Fla., initially charged Lewandowski with simple battery due to unwanted touching. However, when the case was brought before prosecutors, the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office decided the evidence was insufficient to bring charges.

Hannity said that after he watched videotape of the March 8 incident, “I can’t understand that it got the kind of media attention that it actually got.”

Lewandowski responded by citing political correctness as the underlying cause. “Everything is politically correct nowadays,” he said. “And I think what people have to remember when they take a look back is, what are we doing now? Everything is so politically correct.”

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Fields, the reporter who initially pressed for criminal charges against Lewandowski, is now considering a civil action against him and Donald Trump for defamation of character.

“People can do whatever they want to do,” Lewandowski said in response to the potential lawsuit. “I think I’m happy that the criminal case is over. I’m glad that the prosecutors in Palm Beach County looked at this and said there wasn’t enough evidence to move forward and get a prosecution.”